Nicole was a fellow member of an online group called Sisters In Survivorship. It is a Yahoo support group for women under 40 that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember speaking to Nik on the phone a few times a few years ago when she needed some support and encouragement. I knew she wasn't doing that well lately and I found out today that she has passed away.

Her obituary reads as follows:

Nicole Norman Wetzel passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at her home in Mandeville, LA.

Beloved wife of Jason Steven Wetzel and devoted mother of Dominique Claire Wetzel, she is survived by her parents, Dale David and Elmire Begovich Norman; one brother, Kevin David Norman and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Dominick and Josephine Begovich, Dennis and Rose Norman.

Age 35 years, a native of Marrero, LA and a resident of Mandeville, LA for 14 years. Nicole was a 1990 graduate of Immaculata High School, she received a degree in Business from UNO before moving to Mandeville where she worked as a Notary and Paralegal.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences needs sisters -- 18,000 sisters to be exact -- to join the nation's largest research project aimed at pinpointing the causes of breast cancer.

The Sister Study ideally will enroll a total of 50,000 women whose sisters had breast cancer. Since the study launch in October 2004, 32,000 women have been recruited. But still more are needed.

The 10-year observational study requires very little time, is available in English and Spanish, and requires women to first answer questions about diet, jobs, hobbies, and breast cancer risk factors. Later, a female health professional collects small samples of blood, urine, nail clippings, and house dust for use in analysis of environment and genetics.

Women in the United States and Puerto Rico between the ages of 35 and 74 may be eligible for the study if their sisters -- living or deceased -- had breast cancer. The study participants must have never been diagnosed with breast cancer themselves.

The Sister Study, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, NIH's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Sisters Network Inc., the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, and the Intercultural Cancer Council, is confidential and safe. Women are never asked to take medications, visit medical locations, or make any changes to their habits, diet, or daily life. They are simply asked to join this effort so that the mystery of breast cancer can continiue to unfold.

To volunteer or learn more about the Sister Study, visit www.sisterstudy.org or www.estudiodehermanas.org. Or call (877) 474-7837 or (866) 889-4747 for the hearing-impaired.

It could be the cure for the common hospital gown -- you know, the faded, ultra-thin gowns with the revealing and drafty designs. If only hospital buyers could fork over a few extra bucks, we could all lounge in our hospital beds in The Original Healing Threads -- a stylish alternative to standard-issue hospital attire.

Cancer patient Peg Feodoroff was thinking of the traditional humiliating hospital gown in the spring of 2003 while she was undergoing treatment for stage 3 melanoma and her sister, Claire, was undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4 metastatic colon cancer.

Feodoroff's thoughts led to an idea. And so she recruited Claire and another sister, Patty, and together the three sisters crafted a machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, StainSmart garment with an Asian-inspired look and special features -- long, wide sleeves that roll up for tests, hidden panels easily accessed for bandage changing, inner pockets to hold treatment and drainage bags, and easy-to-use buttons, fasteners, and ties. Breakaway pants and robes and also part of the The Original Healing Threads collection.

A portion of The Original Healing Threads profits go to creating Claire's Foundation, a group supporting single mothers fighting terminal illnesses, in honor of Claire, who lost her battle with cancer just one year ago.

Don't wait for your local hospitals to buy into this novel idea. Buy one on-line for yourself or a loved one. Prices range from $44 to $120.

Celebrities catch our attention. They cause us to pay attention too -- which is likely why the media uses celebrities and prominent people to send messages about all sorts of issues, like breast cancer.

It's not just the real-life survivor celebrity stories -- about Melissa Etheridge and Elizabeth Edwards and Sheryl Crow -- that make headlines and attract ratings. It's also the portrayal of cancer survivors on television that raises awareness about this disease. It's not a new trend -- it started long ago when All in the Family's Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) experienced a breast cancer scare, marking one of the first times the issue of breast cancer was discussed openly on TV.

Tough cop Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daly) of the TV show Cagney & Lacey traveled a breast cancer journey. Sisters eldest sister Alex (Swoosie Kurtz) was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived chemotherapy with family by her side. Beverly Hills, 90210 character Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) found a lump in her breast and shed light on the fact that young women are not immune to breast cancer. Sex and the City's Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) developed breast cancer and proudly pulled off her wig on television. The L Word's Dana Fairbanks (Erin Daniels) lost her battle with breast cancer. And on Angela's Eyes, FBI agent Angela Henson recently learned her mother once had breast cancer -- and that it has come back.

There are many others television story lines woven with the thread of breast cancer. They draw viewers and boost ratings. They also raise awareness -- because people pay attention to celebrities.

Kim Taylor is a 45-year-old single mother who lives in Suwannee County, Florida and is proud to have successfully raised one daughter -- a graduate of the University of Florida. Kim enjoys outdoor activities like camping as well as sewing, crafting, and carpentry projects. She is most at peace spending time with her family, working as a youth volunteer -- and raising awareness for breast cancer. It's a interest she acquired just two years ago, compliments of a personal encounter with the disease that has taught her to let the little things go, to appreciate every sunrise, to make every moment matter.

Adriene Hughes was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 44th year of living. She found her lump after participating in a 5K walk, which for some reason, caused her breast to swell. The swelling led her to the lump -- and that's how she discovered her cancer. Adriene lives in Southern California, works as a media specialist, and spends her time taking photographs, knitting, and baking cookies and breads.

I have never met Adriene, have never spoken with Adriene. But we have communicated through our on-line journals and through e-mail ever since November 2004 -- when we each received a breast cancer diagnosis that changed the course of our lives forever.

Adriene is a gem, a treasure, a true inspiration. And here are her words.

Each month, about 22,000 women log on to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) web site and answer seven questions to determine their risk of developing invasive breast cancer. The Gail Model, named for the NCI's chief biostatistician, Mitchell H. Gail, generates a five-year risk and a lifetime risk for each woman who answers each of these seven questions.

• Does the woman have a medical history of any breast cancer or of any ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)? Note: This assessment tool cannot accurately predict risk for a woman who already has a medical history of breast cancer.
  
• What is the woman's age? Note: This tool only calculates risk for women ages 35 and older.
  
• What was the woman's age at the time of her first menstrual period?
  
• What was the woman's age at the time of her first live birth of a child?
  
• How many of the woman's first-degree relatives -- mother, sisters, daughters -- have had breast cancer?
  
• Has the woman ever had a breast biopsy? How many breast biopsies has the woman had? Has the woman had at least one breast biopsy with atypical hyperplasia?
• What is the woman's race/ethnicity?

A simple drop-down answer menu is provided for each question, and explanations for each question are available. Upon completion of the short survey, the Gail Model spits out a five-year breast cancer risk and a lifetime breast cancer risk with comparisons to the general population of women.

While this is only an assessment -- based on statistics that do not always take into account individual differences -- it is still a helpful tool. Because it's clear that women can minimize breast cancer risk with behavior changes and sometimes medication. And generating a personal rating on risk is a rating worth knowing. It's also worth knowing that this tool was designed for use by health professionals. If you are not a health professional, consider discussing your results with your doctor.

Of all the gifts I received during my cancer treatment, I never did receive boxing gloves. And I've never even considered giving them as gifts to loved ones who are sick. I usually stick with fuzzy socks -- that's my traditional put-your-feet-up comfort gift. But I like the idea of boxing gloves. I like that they represent the fight cancer brings out in us. And I like that two sisters came up with this gift idea for their mother during her cancer battle. Complete with signatures from family and friends, they presented boxing gloves to their mom, Gerrell, who loved looking at her symbol of strength. And she was thrilled with all the personal messages that reminded her each day of everyone who stood in her corner. Although Gerrell has since passed away from cancer, the boxing glove idea lives on.

After their mom died, Gerrell's daughters began a company called My Knockout where they sell boxing gloves with signature pens, t-shirts, gift baskets, and more -- and they contribute a portion of all profits to the American Cancer Society. They say it's takes just three rounds to pursue this gift option for anyone faced with a physical or emotional struggle -- just purchase My Knockout boxing gloves, have friends and loved ones sign the gloves with encouraging messages, and give the gloves to your fighters.

Gerrell's daugthers, who also keep a My Knockout blog, say life is truly worth fighting for. So put your gloves up and fight.

Thanks Sheree for sharing your story!

Based on a survey, researchers are suggesting that doctors might need to ask women patients specifically about the paternal history of breast cancer in their family because some women do not appear to know that both sides of the family tree are equally important -- or are simply underreporting that information. When 800 women were asked about a family history for breast cancer, more women reported the mother's family history for the disease, less for the father's family history for the disease.

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers speculate part of the reason for the lack of paternal history being reported is that men in a family are less likely to be told of a woman relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and therefore be unable to share the family history accurately.

In regard to this study, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine stated, "family history of breast cancer is a risk factor for the disease, so any underreporting could have serious consequences for the accuracy of screening for breast cancer."

This is our informal poll to see if we get different results than the survery did. Do you know both sides of your family history for breast cancer and do you report information about both sides as equally relevant? If you are a woman, when asked about family history for breast cancer, have you been asked about the history for both sides of your family?

Breast cancer made Pink Penguin Press founder Jim Powers feel helpless when his aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. He took a look at the women in his family -- at his daughters -- and realized that they were surrounded by breast cancer. Both grandmothers had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Their aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Their mother had a benign breast tumor removed.

Powers decided to stop feeling helpless and make a difference by dedicating his life to fighting breast cancer. He has founded Pink Penguin Press, a non-profit organization with a purpose of beating breast cancer. This coming October, Pink Penguin Press will introduce the premiere issue of BC Nutrition Magazine, an alternative publication featuring up-to-date information on nutrition, alternative therapies, breast cancer research, diet, and lifestyle in a self-education and lifestyle awareness format. A special free preview issue is available now at local health food stores.

Within Pink Penguin Press, you can sign up for Life Saving Email, a free monthly self-check reminder system. Each monthly email is filled with the latest research, valuable nutrition advice and directions to guide you through a breast self-exam. Life Saving Email also sends out annual reminders for subscriber scheduled mammograms. In addition, there are links to educational information about breast health and breast cancer. Ribbon Nutrition is a sponsor of Pink Penguin Press.

A new study reveals that women who received childhood cancer treatment may enter menopause much earlier than women who are not childhood cancer survivors. Siblings were studied -- 2,800 women who did receive treatment and 1,000 sisters of cancer survivors who did not. Women who underwent ovary-removing surgery were excluded from the study -- and the study then found that eight percent of cancer survivors experienced early menopause and less than one percent of the sisters experienced the same phenomenon. The risk was highest -- 30 percent -- for those who once received radiation to the lower abdomen and who also received certain chemotherapy agents, such as cyclophosphamide. Researchers say that 30 percent may be an underestimate, however, because the study included mostly women who had not yet reached age 40. The number of childhood cancer survivors over age 40 entering early menopause is still unclear. What is clear are the unfortunate consequences of this finding that could affect family planning, middle age health, thinning bones, other problems associated with menopause.

For women who undergo hysterectomy as part of cancer treatment in becoming a cancer survivor, Hyster Sisters is a woman-to-woman community support website for hysterectomy recovery. With 93,581 members, 1,726,500 posts and 240,569 threads, Hyster Sisters is a vibrant and active destination for women facing the unique challenges of a hysterectomy seeking compassionate and understanding support.

According to Hyster Sisters creator Kathy Kelley, self-admitted avid internet junkie, after having a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy, she began Hyster Sisters as a hobby eight years ago. "I wanted a way to connect women for support and sharing through a difficult process."

From the humble beginnings of free webspace to a domain of its own, membership in Hyster Sisters remains free for all women who come to it seeking a connection with other women who understand and can relate. Kathy has written a book, and there is a Hyster Sisters store of products to ease the journey through surgery and in surviving the new challenges after a hysterectomy. Featured items include the Hyster Sisters Guide, Swelly Belly Band, Chillow Personal Cooling Device, Deluxe Princess Package, Natural Woman Progesterone Cream and a selection of books.

When Priscilla started her Bouncing for Boobs campaign to bounce one million times in 100 days to raise $10,000 dollars to help her single mom sister Kathleen keep the lights on and food in the pantry when chemotherapy drained her of any energy to get up and go to work, it was a single effort by a single person to make a difference in someone else's life. With a defined goal, and a step-by-step plan for achieving the goal -- and the heart to see it through -- on day 100, after one million bounces, Priscilla has raised $10,000 dollars to help her sister.

In the process, the campaign grew larger than the single effort of helping a single mom diagnosed with breast cancer. When Priscilla returns to her home in London, she begins the next phase of her vision of making a difference in the lives of single moms facing cancer treatments keep the lights on and food in the pantry by officially launching the Bouncing for Breast Cancer non-profit organization. Because along the way of bouncing her boobs for breast cancer, seven more bouncers signed on to join her and corporate sponsors are more than delighted to be a part of her vision to make a difference in the lives of single moms battling breast cancer.

For anyone who has ever had an idea on how to help make the world a better place and the lives of people gentler and less worrisome, and dismissed it as too big, or undoable, or they simply felt they just didn't know where they would begin -- Priscilla is an inspiration in example that you simple start at the beginning, and with a vision, and a goal, and a plan, and with heart  -- nothing is impossible. If you would like to see the start of something big, here are some other blog posts as we watched the idea of Bouncing for Boobs go from a single idea to became a life-changing reality:

Boobeque bouncing for boobs barbeque
Bouncing for boobs boobs bouncing countdown
Boobs bouncing blogs bouncing boobs for a cause

And I predict this is just the beginning of yet bigger things to come. 

Over the Memorial Day weekend, while you were enjoying a backyard barbeque with family and friends, Priscilla and friends were having a boobeque. While you were huddled together and collectively saying cheese for the group photo, Priscilla and friends were huddled together collectively saying boob for the camera. With three days to go, and $1500 dollars short of the $10,000 dollar fundraising goal, Priscilla is not only bouncing her boobs with a few venues planned in Florida while she visits with her sister Kathleen, but she is pulling out all the stops by offering License to bounce and Bouncing for boobs t-shirts at the Bouncing for Breast Cancer online store.

The Bouncing for Boobs blog and the Bouncing for Breast Cancer website started as a personal appeal to raise money for Kathleen, her sister, a single mother in need of financial, emotional and wellbeing support while she goes through chemotherapy. The campaign has grown and Priscilla now plans on expanding the campaign to benefit other single mothers fighting to survive breast cancer. I cannot think of a better cause than helping single mothers and their children through one of the most difficult times of life. Stay tuned. Priscilla is a phenomenally determined woman and I will be sharing the results of her efforts and the exciting accomplishments as she continues to change the world for single mothers everywhere. First for Kathleen.

When I went through chemotherapy there were days when I did not have the strength to walk across the room. If you haven't been through chemotherapy you might think this is an exaggeration. If you have been through the grueling mean rigors of chemotherapy you know exactly what I am talking about. On some days, during the worst of it, I would have to stop half-way across the room to rest before continuing to the other side of the room -- I am not joking.

Chemotherapy brings a human body as close to the edge of death as is possible without actually dying. Because I know what chemotherapy can do to a person, when I found the Bouncing for Boobs blog, my heart was captivated by the efforts of Priscilla to help her sister Kathleen for the time when she would be going through chemotherapy. Kathleen is a single mom with children to provide for and bills to pay. There is no way she will be able to work full-time to keep the lights on and food in the pantry.

Priscilla came up with a fundraising plan to help by bouncing on a trampoline and asking for donations to match the number of times she bounced her boobs. Its tongue and cheek and it's very serious at the same time. The Bouncing for Boobs campaign officially ends June 3rd, and to date Priscilla has been able to raise $7,000 dollars. She has bounced her boobs over 900,000 times in six countries -- England, India, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland -- at famous landmarks that include the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, London Eye, Dom Cathedral, Leaning Tower of Pisa. Her bouncing boobs are gaining worldwide attention. From this single effort of one sister helping another sister, an organization has been created that will go on to help other single mothers going through chemotherapy keep the lights on and food in the pantry. Priscilla is an every day heroine, an example of what each of us has the capacity to do if we set our minds and hearts to it. If you can, get over to Bouncing for Boobs and help her reach her 10,000 boobs bouncing goal of raising $10,000 dollars before June 3rd.